Blueming (2022), as a South Korean BL series, handles modern era youth perceptions, popularity obsession, and introverted emotional conflicts. Even though the LGBT theme is shaped only around the romantic relationship, the personal struggles characters experience in their inner world are quite universal.
The fear of exclusion, the effort to gain self-acceptance, and the need for love are the psychological subtext of the series. For this reason, I included the series on the site. It is necessary to watch the good ones among hundreds of BLs and leave the rest as they are. Because quality is decreasing day by day.
The mini-series felt sincere and warm to me. The visuals were not exaggerated, places are more natural. Without forgetting, you should also watch the connected Spin-off series, Something’s Not Right (2025).
🏳️🌈🇰🇷 Curator Recommendation: Best South Korean BL catalog
Blueming (2022) | Korean BL Series Plot
Cha Si Won experienced social exclusion down to his bones at a young age due to being overweight as a child and their father abandoning them. Since those days, he makes a great effort to change himself. Now he is a first-year cinema student at university and, seen from the outside, looks like someone cool, confident, and popular. However, underneath this appearance, a deep insecurity and desire for acceptance are still hidden. In order to attract people’s attention, not be excluded, and be loved, he even acts like he loves things he doesn’t love.
One day, a student who looks “perfect” from the outside enters his life: Hyeong Da Un. His mother is a famous director and his father is an art gallery owner. Envied and watched by everyone, Da Un actually has his own loneliness as well. His bond with his family is weak; they rarely come together at home. Loneliness is a shadow that Da Un also carries in his inner world but does not project outside.
When the autobiographical screenplay written by Si Won is chosen first in the competition, the relationship between the two youths deepens. The shot short film carries traces of Si Won’s own life. While this film saddens his mother, it also carries his bond with Da Un to a more sincere level. Over time, the closeness between them passes into an emotional dimension and they confess their love to each other.
Han Jae Min begins to realize his feelings but is hesitant to accept them. Park Soo Hyun’s sincere and courageous attitudes begin to soften Jae Min’s introverted nature. In their first encounters, shyness, misunderstandings, and small jealousies dominate. We must confess, this theme is a bit familiar.
Viewer Commentary and Review
Blueming is a plain series. Especially it has a South Korean-style minimalist structure. It doesn’t tire a person. There are no luxury houses, cars, ultra-luxurious lives, this is good. The phases of two characters coming from the middle class grounding their trust and emotions are quite sincere. Both internal conflicts and familial and social impasses are presented well.
When the atmosphere of the series is supported by green areas, campus environment, and seaside scenes, a good viewing emerges. Visuals reinforce the emotional state of love. The story shaped over the themes of “popularity” and “the person we want to be” reminds us that what everyone seeks deep down is to be understood and loved. Instead of being someone everyone admires, turning into someone you choose to be with is much more valuable.
Among the journey of love, trust, and finding oneself, it is one of the rare BL series that makes one ask the question “who are we really?” BL series generally handle superficial topics taking place on university campuses that we have watched hundreds of times.
Final comment, the inner conflicts and emotional growth of the characters are really very sincere. You will feel that psychological tension, the contrast, and the depression between the person the characters want to be and the person they appear to be. When examining the series thoroughly, you will find not only boys’ love but even queer narratives. In short, don’t let the year 2022 mislead you; if you want to watch something good and you are a BL enthusiast, pull the series out from among other garbage productions.
More Informations
11 episodes and each episode is an Average of 14 minutes. Connected Series: Spin-off: Something’s Not Right will also offer you a similar story. Source Work: Who Can Define Popularity? (Webtoon/Animation adaptation) Tak Bon, I said let me add this too. Where to Watch: iQIYI. More Info: You can look at the MyDramaList site. That’s all for now.
Cast and Characters
- Jo Hyuk Joon – Hyung Da Un: A quite remarkable and confident university student. Gives the impression that he is “perfect” in almost every aspect: good looks, successful academic performance, and wealthy family background. However, it also gives us the occasion to meet the emotions and vulnerabilities hidden beyond this visual harmony.
- Kang Eun Bin – Cha Si Won: Si-Won, who was mocked in his childhood due to his physical appearance, worked hard to gain beauty and became one of the favorite names on campus. Still, behind this extroverted air, he carries his own insecurities and fragilities. When he encounters Da-Un, he begins to remember his true self through a trust relationship.
 is a sincere Korean BL series. Emotions are dancing.){kind=link}